1st Annual Arkansas Backcountry Spring Family Campout?

Hey guys,

Amanda left me for the weekend to go to a minister's wives retreat at Greer's Ferry, and I have all 4 kids. All that and it is really cold and snowing on a day that I woud love to be outside. I have just thought that with all the new members that have children (OE's great looking children BTW), we could have a family campout one weekend this Spring. Even though I haven't talked it over with her, I'm sure she wouldn't mind us hosting it up here in Devil's Den, but I wouldn't be opposed to doing it at the Buffalo or where ever either. Of course we would have to leave on a Saturday night, but that really wouldn't have to change anything.

I was thinking we could have a day hike on Saturday, followed by a campfire/weenie-smore roast that night. We could talk gear, and put on another tarp/hammock/whatever clinic that day too, and the kids could run around and have fun. If we did it in Devil's Den, I would reserve a few campsites in Campground A that has trails all around it, some go to the Devils Icebox (a Cave), and others go to the Butterfield trail. The Yellow Rock trail also begins and ends in that campsite as well. Oh well, tell me what yall think, and I will cook pancakes for everyone that Saturday morning .

That mean I would have to rent few kids to come up? hahaha

I have 4, you can borrow one of mine , or all of them for that matter

Great idea PM I have organized campouts for years for our church. The nice thing about using state parks is that you can reserve them at least a year in advance. So a group of ours can reserve spots in area A and we could try and keep everyone somewhat together. So are you thinking spring or summer? People without kids would be welcome TM!

Dusty

Awww thanks Lew... guess I will have to put the kids back where I just found them on the street. Oh well thats life... hahaha

I was thinking Spring, but there is a pool at Devil's Den that cost a buck a day (it has a nice kids play area with slides and such), and there is Lee Creek right by the campsites. If we did it on late April-May it might be warm enough for the kids to have fun in the water, but the bugs may be out then too . I am open to whatever really, and if we can kind of get a concensus now for what people may like better, we can set a date better.

If we did it in the Spring, then there might not be as may bugs out, and the kids may enjoy it better too. I say Spring, why not, we need to be out hiking anyway . And I say the more the merrier.

we wanna try, need to stay away from 4-25. Busy that day.

I'm game. Just need to know when. Last two weekends of the month are always better for me.
UL

Ok, Amanda is home, and I have somewhat talked it over with her She says it sounds fun, and for me to set it up and we will go .

How about the 3rd weekend of April (April 17-19th, 2009)? Of course we will have to leave that Saturday night, but no big deal. For those of you that could make it that Friday night, we could have a pretty good campfire. Its not like we do not have enough firewood up here from the ice storm. So whats yalls thoughts?

Thanks for the compliment PM! They take after their Dad. We'd love to attend the campout!! My wife works every other weekend but we could, at the very least, hang out for the day. My wife and I were just talking today about how we'd like to learn more about backpacking and this would be a wonderful opportunity.

April 17-19 isn't good for me. Our family and our church has a planned campout at Petit Jean that weekend but if this date works for everyone else. Go for it.

Lew

I spoke to my wife and she's really excited about it. She said she could change her weekend schedule around so we're available for just about any weekend in April.

We are good for whatever weekend too

UL, Will the 2nd weekend of April be ok for you? It may help the OE's too. That would be April 10-12, 2009.

I am ready to get out, and have fun camping

Preacha Man wrote:We are good for whatever weekend too

UL, Will the 2nd weekend of April be ok for you? It may help the OE's too. That would be April 10-12, 2009.

I am ready to get out, and have fun camping

That is Easter!! Preacha!

PM:
The first and second weekends of the month are always bad for me, so the third or fourth weekend would be much better.
UL

Dooooh . We an make it into May too? That is what I like about planning ahead . We will work something out for sure.

We could have it Easter weekend, and everyone coul hear me preach that Sunday . I might even preach shorter for yall (though I would mor than likely preach longer because it is yall ).

If we did it in May, like the 3rd or 4th weekend in May, it may give people more time to plan for it as well.

Hey guys, just a thought if anyone has plans for Memorial Day Weekend? That is May 22nd-25th, or a Friday to Monday. Our Church services end around 3:30-4:00 so we could come back and stay that Sunday night and Monday as well?

I know that it is a ways away, but if we do choose that weekend, I better reserve some campsites now

Dwight,

I want to come to any gathering that we have but I can't say if I can or can't right now. Depends on many factors. In any case I will discuss this with the wife. I would love to do this.

OH

We're really excited about attending and looking forward to going. We can do just about any weekend with enough advance notice.

Great guys, I'll wait a few days to make sure that Memorial Day weekend is a good time for others too, and then I'll reserve some sites.

I went to Devil's Den today and WOW it was filled. I will reserve some campsites for Memorial day weekend if that is alright with yall. How many do I need (3-4) for those who said they will come? I could also reserve some hike in camps if that would be better? If not I will just reserve 3-4 spots in Campsite A, near where the Butterfield crosses Lee Creek. There are showers there and everything for the rest of the family too. If there is enough of us that will meet on Friday night, I may talk Amanda into having a special treat ready , like brisket and homemade ice cream

Ahh..the temptation of bar-b-qued cow. How can anyone resist that!? Especially since I've managed to turn every brisket we've bought in the past two years into a rather expensive charcoal briquette.
We'll be there Friday and Saturday for sure. Maybe Sunday.

Good to hear that yall can come. I will go ahead and reserve the campsites. Now we just have to get everyone else on board.

Weather permiting we will have a great weekend.

I just spok with Devil's Den, and they have 4 campsites available 2 on each side of the road, in campsite A right next to the Butterfield trail. If we get these, I have to reserve them for 3 nights each, and pay for it all up front since it is a Holiday.

Do yall think 3 spaces would be enough? They said we could have 2 tents per site. The other good news is that Sunday night willbe paid for if anyone needed to stay the extra night. We could even come back out after church that Sunday too.

Let me know and I will reserve today.

If yall want, I will reserve 3 campsites. I have to pay for the first nights in advance, and the rest is due when we ge there. We can divide all the money when we get there if that is ok with everyone.

If yall think that I need to get 4 campsites then let me know too

PM:
I know that we probably won't be able to make it. My nephew who is staying with us is graduating that weekend and we've got family coming from out of town for that week.
Sorry, hopefully next time.
UL